Paul Bunyan statue in Bemidji, 1973

Babe the Blue Ox statue is driven down Nicollet Mall as part of “On To Nicollet” festivities in Minneapolis held on August 4, 1937, and featured in the August 7, 1937 edition of the Bemidji Pioneer. Original caption: “Darlene Gary, drum major for the Bemidji, Minn., “On-to-Nicollet” deegation [sic], battles ‘Babe,’ Paul Bunyan’s big blue ox in the loop as the fans from out-of-town paraded on their way to Nicollet park this noon. ‘Babe’ stopped marching near the West hotel, Bemidji headquarters, and refused to budge until Little Miss Gary prodded him and told him he would be late for the Miller game.” From the folder “Bemidji” in box 145 of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Edina newspaper photographs collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, Bemidji. Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nejones1987, June 14, 2019. CC BY-SA 4.0

Panoramic view of Mesaba Transportation Company buses and drivers parked on McKinley Street in North Hibbing. In the background are a water tower (far left), the Lincoln School, the St. Louis County Courthouse (center), and a residential area (far right). Aubin Photograph Studio Collection, Hibbing Historical Society.

Looking west on Sheridan Street in Ely, 1940s.

Colonial Hall (right) and Masonic Lodge No. 30 (left) in Anoka. Photo by Wikimedia Commons user McGhiever, July 2, 2013. CC BY-SA 3.0

Merchants National Bank, Winona, May 12, 2017. Photograph by Wikimedia Commons user McGhiever. CC BY-SA 4.0

Aerial view of the St. Paul Civic Center, October 2, 1974.

In a matter of hours, a series of devastating fires changed the look of Northern Minnesota for decades. The Cloquet/Moose Lake fires of 1918 resulted in a loss life, millions of dollars in property damage, and displacement of thousands of Minnesotans. Producer Allison Herrera tells us more about the spark that lit the flames in this MN90 segment.

Virginia, Minnesota, from a southeast lookout point, July 5, 2012. CC BY-SA 3.0